Malheur Wilderness Trail Maintenance

This solicitation is for trail maintenance to be performed within the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness areas in the Malheur National Forest. One primary line item involves logout and brushing of one wilderness trail segment. Two optional line items involve logout and brushing of two additional trail segments. The Contractor shall furnish the necessary personnel, supervision, material, equipment, facilities, services, supplies, travel, transportation, training, and incidentals to perform deferred trail maintenance.

The primary line items require logout and brushing on the trail segments based on USFS standards (Reference Exhibits 1-7). This includes all downed and leaning trees, brushing of woody type vegetation encroaching on the trail corridor, and general clearing of debris from trail beds. Brushing is 4 feet from centerline of trail, 10 feet high. Clearing of down logs is the same, in addition to hazard trees. Cut stubs to avoid safety concerns – where possible cut to ground level.

Wilderness horse and hiker trails shall be cleared to standard trail clearing specifications. There are no special project specification. Two optional line items complete remaining deferred maintenance to bring these trails up to USFS maintenance standards. The areas containing these three trails have all burned in the last twenty years. There are areas of heavy downfall and thick brush.

The result of the work on this contract shall remove all woody vegetation (trees and brush) from the trail corridor, and shall bring the trail, improve tread where needed, remove all obstacles, and allow for safe use of trails. All wilderness laws must be followed. Wilderness laws require the use of the “minimum tool necessary” to complete a project. This will require a contractor with specialized skills, including the ability to use crosscut saws and other traditional tools.

Mechanized transport is not allowed, which includes but is not limited to the use of carts or wheelbarrows. Motors are prohibited in wilderness and all motorized tools are prohibited including battery operated drills, power saws, etc. Mechanical tools such as grip hoists are allowed. All equipment and vehicles to be used at the job site shall be cleaned and free of invasive species (noxious weeds), seeds, external grease and oil and shall be inspected prior to entrance onto Federal lands.

The restriction shall include equipment and vehicles intended for off-road use as well as on road use, whether they are owned, leased, or borrowed by the Contractor or Subcontractor. All protective plating and armoring shall be intact and properly functioning on the equipment to reduce the potential for damaging hydraulic hoses or the undercarriage. Spill kit approved by OSHA for petroleum product leaks will be on site at all times.